Community Policies & Planning

Coordinating regional and local plans

The Council develops a comprehensive development plan that helps guide the future growth of the region. The current plan is Thrive MSP 2040, adopted in May 2014.

The Council also develops individual plans for regional transportation, parks, housing and water resources. These include:

The Council coordinates these system plans with the plans of local communities, and assists communities in their planning efforts.

Girl in fornt of bus stop

Regional plans and system statements

The Council periodically updates its plans for regional systems - transportation, wastewater and parks. Local governments in the metro area may need to change their own comprehensive plans to coordinate with the revised regional plans.

The Council sends all regional cities and counties a customized document called a “system statement” that shows how it is affected by the Council’s policy plans for regional systems. System statements are intended to help communities amend, if necessary, their local comprehensive plans. 

Planning assistance

The Council provides communities with a wide range of assistance to help them plan their future.  See the Council's Local Community Planning resources.